Star 2 – Staff Writer
“With obesity still rising among certain groups of children, a US government panel is renewing its advice that all children and adolescents ages six to 18 be screened for obesity. Screening is just the first step. Kids who are obese should then be referred to treatment programmes that use a variety of approaches to change their behaviour and help them slim down. The recommendations were issued recently by the US Preventive Services Task Force, a group of experts appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The task force’s advice influences healthcare providers and the coverage offered by health insurers.” (more)